The BSA suggests that a Scout's earnings be applied first to his annual costs with remaining money going into the Scout's Individual Youth Account. Some units instead take the boy's earnings and divide them up.

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Paying your own way is a fundamental principle of the Boy Scouts of America. It is one of the reasons why no solicitations (requests for contributions from individuals or the community) are permitted by units. Young people in Scouting are taught early on that if they want something in life, they need to earn it. The finance plan of any unit should include participation by the Scouts.

Importance to Packs

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Packs using this method have traditionally had stronger programs with less turnover of youth (Cub Scouts are retained). Individual Cub Scout accounts, whereby the pack keeps track of how much a Cub Scout or his family has raised toward his "ideal year of Cub Scouting" goal, are critical to the success of this program. When individual Cub Scouts are credited for their efforts, they develop a sense of personal responsibility and participation.

Participation Fees Do Little to Teach Responsibility

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An annual unit participation fee, too often completely contributed by parents, does little to teach a boy responsibility. The unit's entire budget must be provided for by the families, either through fund-raising or other means such as dues or fees.